Professional Guardian

Job Description

Salary: $25/hour

Albuquerque, NM Full-Time Competitive Pay + Benefits

Advocate. Protect. Empower.

Are you a compassionate professional with a strong sense of duty to protect and uphold the rights of others? The Arc New Mexico is seeking a Professional Guardian to provide advocacy, decision-making support, and life-enhancing oversight for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the state.

Why Join Us?

Purpose-driven work that upholds dignity, autonomy, and self-determination.

Direct impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals who rely on your voice and guidance.

Collaboration with a dedicated team in a values-based nonprofit setting.

Competitive compensation and full benefits.

Position Overview

The Professional Guardian is responsible for ensuring the well-being, rights, and best interests of individuals under legal guardianship through active engagement, informed decision-making, and coordination of services. This includes regular in-person visits, medical consent, financial oversight, and advocacy across healthcare, housing, employment, and social services.

The ideal candidate is highly ethical, detail-oriented, and empatheticcapable of navigating complex service systems while promoting independence and dignity for each client.

Key Responsibilities

Client Advocacy & Oversight

Serve as legal guardian for assigned individuals, safeguarding their personal, medical, financial, and legal rights.

Participate in medical decision-making and provide informed consent as required.

Review, monitor, and advocate for client services through regular visits to homes, workplaces, and community settings.

Represent clients in legal, medical, and programmatic settings, ensuring their voices are heard and rights are upheld.

Service Coordination

Attend ISP meetings, medical appointments, and program planning sessions to support client needs and goals.

Ensure clients receive all services for which they are eligible and facilitate referrals to appropriate programs.

Maintain compliance with New Mexico guardianship statutes and regulations.

Documentation & Compliance

Maintain up-to-date, accurate case files including guardianship documents, demographics, medical records, and service history.

Prepare reports for District Court in compliance with NM Statute #45-6-301.

Apply technology to streamline documentation and service coordination.

Financial & Property Oversight

Monitor individual finances and property; coordinate with representative payees or trustees as needed.

Ensure responsible financial stewardship that enhances client well-being and independence.

Team Collaboration & Professional Development

Develop and maintain strong relationships with service providers, family members, and legal representatives.

Participate in internal training, stakeholder meetings, and workgroups related to guardianship and disability services.

Provide peer mentorship when needed and support transitions to programs such as Mi Via waiver.

What You Need to Succeed

Education & Experience

Bachelors degree preferred.

Experience working with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities strongly preferred.

Experience in guardianship, case management, or related human services is a plus.

Skills & Competencies

Deep understanding of disability rights, guardianship standards, and person-centered planning.

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple cases.

Excellent written and verbal communication.

Compassionate, ethical, and committed to upholding individual autonomy.

Comfortable traveling across New Mexico and being on-call for emergencies.

Work Environment & Requirements

Must be available 24/7 for client emergencies.

Requires monthly travel statewide with occasional overnight stays.

Physical Requirements: Ability to sit, stand, and drive for extended periods; lift up to 20 lbs unassisted (40 lbs with assistance).

Valid Drivers License & Background Check Required.

Compensation & Benefits

While in training you will start at $25/hour, and once you successfully complete your licensing to become a guardian you will move to a starting salary of $58,656.

Benefits start on the 1st of the month after 60 days and include:

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (Co-paid for employee and family)

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Leave

Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance

Life & AD&D Insurance

Retirement Plan (Simple IRA) with 2% employer contribution

Join The Arc New Mexico and help ensure that every individual has a dedicated guardian committed to their dignity, safety, and fulfillment.

Full-time